Fetal Heart Care Services and Clinics | Pediatric Heart Center | UC Davis Children's Hospital

Pediatric Heart Center

Early diagnosis and care for heart defects

Our pediatric heart specialists use state-of-the-art technology that can detect congenital heart defects before the birth of your child.

Ultrasound provider performing fetal echocardiogram on expecting mom in private clinic room

Fetal cardiology services

Our team of fetal cardiology specialists believe in family-centered and patient-driven care; care that is based on building individual relationships with patients and their families. 

We work with our families to provide them with expert evaluation, diagnosis, management, and counseling of congenital heart defects.

What we offer

  • State-of-the-art fetal echocardiography technology that can detect heart defects before the birth of your child as early as 12 weeks gestation
  • Comprehensive diagnosis, counseling and care plan for you and your family the same day as your echocardiogram
  • 24/7 access to a full range of obstetric and pediatric medical specialties including pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, perinatology, fetal/pediatric surgery and neonatology
  • Close collaboration with other physicians and specialists in the Fetal Care and Treatment Center, the first comprehensive multidisciplinary fetal diagnosis and therapy center in inland Northern California
  • The region’s only level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Access to the full Pediatric Heart Center team and the most advanced fetal heart interventions
  • Dedicated fetal cardiology coordinator and social worker to manage all your care needs
  • A wealth of education about heart anomalies, treatment options and potential outcomes
Fetal echocardiograms
  • Some babies have a higher risk of congenital heart disease. Current recommendations for a fetal echocardiogram include:

    • Concerns on a routine obstetrical ultrasound
    • In vitro fertilization (IVF) or assisted reproductive technology 
    • Increased nuchal translucency
    • Family history of congenital heart disease (1st degree relative)
    • Abnormality of another organ system
    • Abnormal fetal heart rate or rhythm
    • Known or suspected fetal genetic condition
    • Monochorionic twin pregnancies
    • Abnormal maternal blood screening
    • Diabetes mellitus (pre-gestational and gestational)
    • Maternal phenylketonuria (PKU)
    • Maternal autoimmune disease (lupus)
    • Maternal use of certain medications
    • Exposure to certain viral infections
    • Presence of hydrops
    • Inability to fully visualize the cardiac structures
    More about fetal echocardiograms
Director, fetal cardiology & echocardiography
  • Sherzana Sunderji, M.D.

    Sherzana Sunderji, M.D., is a fetal and pediatric cardiologist in the Pediatric Heart Center and serves as director of fetal cardiology and echocardiography. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis, evaluation and management of congenital and acquired heart disease from fetus to adult. She specializes in fetal diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease, as well as fetal, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. 

    View full bio for Sherzana Sunderji, M.D.
Our fetal cardiologists

Director, UC Davis Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiopulmonary Exercise Laboratory Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Ticon II Building

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Fetal Cardiology
Adult Congenital Cardiology
Congenital Anomalies
Physiology

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

UC Davis Medical Group - Roseville

Phone: 916-783-7109
Phone: 916-783-7109
Fax: 916-783-0470

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Fetal Cardiology

Director, Fetal Cardiology & Echocardiography Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Glassrock Building

Specialties
Fetal Cardiology
Fetal Echocardiography
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging

Medical Director, UC Davis Pediatric Echocardiography Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Glassrock Building

Phone: 800-282-3284

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Echocardiography
Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal Cardiology

Director, UC Davis Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiopulmonary Exercise Laboratory Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Ticon II Building

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Fetal Cardiology
Adult Congenital Cardiology
Congenital Anomalies
Physiology

Director, Fetal Cardiology & Echocardiography Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Glassrock Building

Specialties
Fetal Cardiology
Fetal Echocardiography
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging

Medical Director, UC Davis Pediatric Echocardiography Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Glassrock Building

Phone: 800-282-3284

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Echocardiography
Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal Cardiology

Director, UC Davis Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiopulmonary Exercise Laboratory Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Ticon II Building

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Fetal Cardiology
Adult Congenital Cardiology
Congenital Anomalies
Physiology

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

UC Davis Medical Group - Roseville

Phone: 916-783-7109
Phone: 916-783-7109
Fax: 916-783-0470

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Fetal Cardiology

Director, Fetal Cardiology & Echocardiography Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

Glassrock Building

Specialties
Fetal Cardiology
Fetal Echocardiography
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging

Medical Director, UC Davis Pediatric Echocardiography Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Glassrock Building

Phone: 800-282-3284

Specialties
Pediatric Cardiology
Echocardiography
Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal Cardiology
Get in touch with usReferrals and appointments

Referring physicians from other facilities, patients and families can contact us for more information about our fetal cardiology services including fetal echocardiography services. Please use our Fetal Care and Treatment Center Referral form to refer patients and request services.

For referrals, diagnostics and appointments

916-794-2229

Fetal cardiology clinic locations
Our affiliations
  • Fetal Heart Society

    Fetal Heart Society’s mission is to advance the field of fetal cardiovascular care & science through collaborative research, education and mentorship.

    More about the Fetal Heart Society
  • The University of California Fetal Consortium

    The University of California Fetal Consortium is a transdisciplinary collaboration among the five University of California medical centers aimed at optimizing maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes by sharing expertise, training, and scholarship to identify and implement high-value, best-care practices.

    Learn more about the fetal consortium
  • NAFTNet

    The North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet) is a voluntary association of 36 medical centers in both the United States, Canada and Mexico that perform advanced in-utero fetal therapeutic procedures.

    Learn more about NAFTNet
  • International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society

    The International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society is a group of medical professionals striving to promote and encourage the development and advancement of the fetal diagnosis and therapy field.

    Learn more about the IFMSS.
  • The Association for Medical Ultrasound

    The Association for Medical Ultrasound is dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine. 

    Learn more about the AIUM.